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Indian craft gin has come a long way over the past decade. What was once a niche category dominated by imported labels is now home to some of the world's most respected spirits. At the center of that movement is Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin, a bottle that didn't simply introduce another premium gin to the market, it introduced a distinctly Indian flavor profile to drinkers around the world.
Made by Nao Spirits & Beverages, Hapusa was launched in June 2018 in India, the UK and Singapore. It quickly became known as the world's first Himalayan Dry Gin, built around wild Himalayan juniper rather than the Mediterranean or Eastern European varieties commonly used in London Dry gins. Today, Hapusa is available across several Indian states and continues to feature on cocktail menus at some of the country's best bars while earning recognition at international spirits competitions.
If you're wondering where to buy Hapusa in India, how much it costs, and whether it's worth spending over INR 2,000 on a bottle, here's everything you need to know.
Nao Spirits was founded in Goa in 2016 by Anand Virmani, Aparajita Ninan and Vaibhav Singh, with Abhinav Rajput later joining the leadership team. Their goal wasn't simply to produce gin, it was to create an Indian gin that reflected the country's own landscape, ingredients and identity.
The company takes its name from the Portuguese word "Nao", meaning ship, referencing Goa's maritime history and the movement of ideas, cultures and botanicals through trade. That philosophy continues through the brand's portfolio, which today includes Greater Than London Dry Gin, Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin and several limited-edition releases.
While Greater Than introduced many Indians to craft gin, Hapusa pushed the category further by proving that Indian botanicals could create a premium sipping gin capable of competing globally.
Also Read: Is Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin Worth the Price? An Honest Verdict
Unlike many premium gins that rely heavily on imported botanicals, Hapusa uses ingredients sourced entirely from India.
Its signature botanical is wild Himalayan juniper, hand-foraged from the Himalayan region. Instead of delivering the bright citrus-forward style found in many London Dry gins, Hapusa leans into earthy, resinous and savory notes.
The botanical bill also includes:
Together, they create a gin that feels unmistakably Indian without becoming overly spicy or gimmicky.
At 42.8% ABV, Hapusa has enough body to stand up in cocktails but is equally enjoyable served neat from the freezer.
If you're expecting a classic London Dry similar to Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, Hapusa may surprise you.
On the nose, it opens with aromas of pine forests, wild herbs and fresh juniper. There's a subtle floral quality underneath, followed by citrus lifted by the Gondhoraj lime.
The palate is where the Indian botanicals become more obvious. Earthy turmeric, green cardamom and raw mango appear gradually rather than all at once, giving the gin texture instead of sweetness.
The finish is long, dry and gently spicy, making it particularly well suited to spirit-forward cocktails like the Martini and Negroni.
Rather than chasing floral or fruity flavors, Hapusa focuses on savory complexity, which is why many bartenders recommend it for experienced gin drinkers.
Nao Spirits distils Hapusa at its distillery in Goa using a traditional copper pot still named Agotha.
Unlike industrial gin production, where botanicals are often standardized, the Hapusa team works with seasonal ingredients and carefully balances each batch to maintain consistency despite natural variation.
The most difficult ingredient to source remains the Himalayan juniper, which is still wild-foraged rather than commercially farmed.
That commitment to small-batch production partly explains why Hapusa sits in the premium price bracket.
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As India's gin category has grown, so has the competition. Today, Hapusa shares shelf space with labels like Stranger & Sons, Samsara, Tamras, Jin Jiji and Terai Gin.
Each offers a different interpretation of Indian botanicals.
Hapusa remains the boldest of the group. Its pine-forward profile and savory depth make it less approachable for complete beginners but especially rewarding for drinkers who enjoy classic gin flavors.
It also works exceptionally well in cocktails where the spirit is meant to remain the hero rather than disappear behind mixers.
Also Read: Where To Buy Greater Than Gin In India: Price & Availability Guid
With prices ranging between roughly INR 2,100 and INR 3,700, depending on the state, Hapusa costs considerably more than mainstream craft gins.
However, much of that premium comes from the sourcing of wild Himalayan juniper, small-batch distillation and relatively limited production compared to larger brands.
For someone buying their first premium gin, it may feel expensive.
For someone already exploring craft spirits, it offers a flavor profile that few other Indian gins can match.
One of the biggest reasons behind Hapusa's popularity is that it is no longer limited to Goa. Over the last few years, Nao Spirits has steadily expanded distribution across major Indian cities, and following its acquisition by Diageo India (United Spirits) in 2025, the brand is expected to benefit from an even wider distribution network across the country.
Today, Hapusa is commonly available through premium liquor retailers and licensed wine shops in:
Availability is strongest in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa and Chandigarh, where premium craft spirits have a larger consumer base. Smaller cities may still stock Hapusa through select premium retailers rather than neighborhood liquor stores.
If you don't see it on the shelf, many retailers are willing to source it on request, especially if they already stock brands such as Greater Than, Stranger & Sons, Jaisalmer or Tanqueray.
India's alcohol laws vary by state, so there is no single nationwide platform that delivers alcohol everywhere.
Depending on where you live, Hapusa may be available through licensed state-approved delivery platforms or premium liquor retailers. In states where home delivery is permitted, stock is usually listed through:
Availability changes frequently because alcohol distribution in India is controlled by individual state excise departments.
Like every premium spirit sold in India, Hapusa's price changes from state to state because of varying excise duties and local taxes.
Here are the approximate retail prices for a 750ml bottle in 2026.
State | Aprox Price |
|---|---|
Goa | INR 2,120 |
Chandigarh | INR 2,200 |
Haryana | INR 2,500 |
West Bengal | INR 2,660 |
Karnataka | INR 3,545 |
Maharashtra | INR 3,600 |
Madhya Pradesh | INR 3,700 |
These prices may vary slightly depending on retailer, local taxes and government revisions. States revise liquor prices periodically through their excise departments.
Alongside the regular Himalayan Dry Gin, Nao Spirits also produces the Hapusa Distiller's Batch.
This is a limited-production release bottled at 47% ABV, offering a more intense expression of Himalayan juniper with greater aromatic complexity.
Unlike the regular bottle, Distiller's Batch isn't available nationwide.
As of 2026, it is primarily available in:
Because production volumes remain relatively small, availability depends heavily on retailers and premium liquor stores.
Collectors often purchase it as soon as fresh batches arrive, making it considerably harder to find than the standard Hapusa.
Compared to imported premium gins like Monkey 47 or The Botanist, Hapusa is surprisingly accessible.
Most premium liquor stores in Mumbai, Goa, Delhi and Bengaluru either stock it regularly or can arrange it through distributors.
The best chances of finding it are at retailers that specialize in premium spirits rather than budget IMFL brands.
If you're travelling, Goa remains one of the best places to purchase Hapusa thanks to both availability and significantly lower excise duties.
If you're buying your first gin and mostly enjoy simple Gin & Tonics, Greater Than or Stranger & Sons might be easier introductions.
However, if you've already explored mainstream premium gins and want something distinctly Indian, Hapusa remains one of the country's finest bottles.
Its use of wild Himalayan juniper, raw mango, turmeric and gondhoraj lime creates a profile that is difficult to replicate. Yes, it is expensive compared to standard London Dry gins.
But you're paying for:
Following Diageo India's acquisition of Nao Spirits in 2025, the brand is expected to continue expanding its reach while retaining its craft identity.
Eight years after its launch, Hapusa continues to stand apart from almost every other Indian gin on the market. It doesn't try to imitate London Dry classics, nor does it lean heavily on fruit-forward flavors. Instead, it celebrates Indian terroir through wild Himalayan juniper and native botanicals, creating a spirit that's bold, savory and unmistakably local.
If you're looking for an everyday mixing gin, there are more affordable options. But if you want to experience one of India's defining craft spirits, or you're building a premium home bar—Hapusa is still one of the best bottles you can buy.
Hapusa is available in Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh through premium liquor retailers, with availability varying by state.
Its premium pricing reflects small-batch production, the use of wild-foraged Himalayan juniper, Indian botanicals, and limited production compared with mass-market spirits.
Both. While it makes excellent Martinis, Negronis and Gin & Tonics, many enthusiasts prefer sipping it chilled because its earthy juniper and spice profile is distinctive enough to enjoy neat.
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